At the opening of the E-Commerce Paris show (12 to 14 September – Paris expo Porte de Versailles), Fevad published its report on internet sales in France in the second quarter of 2016. This study is based both on information gathered from the main retail sites as well as the total number of transactions processed by the main payment companies on behalf of the 189, 240 active retail sites.

Strong growth in transactions

In the second quarter, the number of transactions increased by 21% compared to the second quarter of 2015 to reach 230 million transactions. With growth of 15%, online purchases accounted for 17.4 billion euros. Also, despite the 5% decrease in the average transaction amount (goods and services) i.e. a spend of 75.5 euros, strong growth was maintained in the second quarter.

This growth benefited from the increase in the number of cybershoppers: +1.3 million in one year (Source: Médiamétrie), and an increasingly plentiful supply, with around 190,000 active retail sites, i.e. 13% more in one year (+21,600 sites).

Growth peak for the ICE 40 panel’s leading sites

The panel’s BtoC sites registered a growth peak in the 2nd quarter: +12%, driven by sales of furniture and decoration, household equipment and health and beauty. Their sales thus seem to have benefited from the positive trend observed in the second quarter across the whole retail sector, +3.2% mainly due to a rebound in household spending on consumer electronics, probably related to the transition to HD DTT in April and Euro 2016 in June.

Sales to business saw a turnover increase of +13% in the second quarter and returned to double-digit growth.

Meanwhile, travel and tourism sales increased by 3%.

The marketplace index rose by 16%

The iPM index, which measures the volume of marketplace sales (sales made by sites hosted on iCE 40 marketplaces), continued to rise. However, its increase was more moderate, with 16% growth in the second quarter.

Sales on smartphones and tablets grew at a brisk pace

The iCM index, which measures sales trends on mobile internet devices (smartphones and digital tablets) climbed by 38% in the second quarter of 2016 compared to the second quarter of 2015. The iCM panel’s sites made more than a quarter of their sales (27%) on mobile terminals versus 20% a year ago.

Methodology:

The results presented in the e-commerce report are derived from studies conducted by Fevad and based on data collected directly from retail sites and secure payment platforms. The report uses the following definitions:

E-commerce Index (Indice commerce électronique – iCE): This is based on turnover generated directly by iCE 40 panel companies, on fixed and mobile internet (excluding marketplaces). It only includes orders delivered in France, whatever the delivery location (home, drop-off points, shops, etc.). This is the order turnover, minus cancellations, exchanges and returns, including postage and tax for sales to private individuals, and excluding VAT for sales to businesses.

Marketplace Index (Indice place de marché – iPM): This is based on data gathered from the marketplaces that participate in the panel. It corresponds to sales made on the marketplaces by the user sites.

Mobile Commerce Index (Indice commerce mobile – iCM): This is based on data gathered from the panel’s sites. It corresponds to the turnover achieved directly by panel member companies on smartphones and digital tablets through mobile sites and apps (excluding app downloads).

Estimated global market: The global market is estimated by adding together the data gathered from the iCE 40 panel’s sites and the value of electronic payments (excluding iCE 40 panel members) as communicated by the service providers participating in the PSP panel.

Marc Lolivier is Director General of Fevad, the French Federation of E-commerce & Distance Selling. Fevad is dedicated to represent and promote e-commerce and to advocate for industry standards for responsible e-commerce activities. It represents 580 companies and 800 websites including all the top leading e-retailers.

Before joining Fevad in 2002, Marc Lolivier held the position of Director for European Legal and Regulatory Affairs, in an international publishing group.

Along with his duties as Director General of Fevad, Marc Lolivier is also participates to the work of Ecommerce Europe as Vice-President of Public Affairs and as a Member of the Executive Committee. Ecommerce Europe is the European umbrella association representing 25,000+ companies selling goods/services online to European consumers.

Marc Lolivier is also Director General of the French Union of Direct and Digital Marketing. He actively participates in governmental and non-governmental entities involved in electronic business policy, where he represents the e-commerce industry.

Since 2009, Marc Lolivier chairs the working group “Protection of personal data” at MEDEF (Movement of the Enterprises of France). He was also rapporteur for the opinion of the French National Consumer Council on the protection of consumer data adopted in 2010. In 2014, Marc was appointed Chairman of the committee “Digital rights” of MEDEF.

Marc Lolivier holds a Master in Private Law and a Master of Advanced Studies in Intellectual Property Law. He is also a graduate of the French Press Institute. He is a frequent speaker and author of various articles on direct marketing, e-commerce and consumer law published in France and abroad. He teaches Law of Electronic Commerce and Digital Economy at the University of Paris I Sorbonne.